Animal husbandry – Confining or housing – Often portable – small capacity – roofed housing structure
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-19
2003-05-27
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Confining or housing
Often portable, small capacity, roofed housing structure
C424S093300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06568351
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is related to a method for raising rabbits, in particular by feeding the rabbit with a feed containing a source of long-chain fatty acid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rabbits are grown commercially as a source of meat in many areas of the world including Italy, Spain, France, and China. Typically, the total production period is about 80-85 days divided into 3 phases: (1) weaning period—day 1 to day 30; (2) adaptation period—day 31 to day 50; and (3) grower/finishing period—day 51 to day 85. During the adaptation period the rabbits may be fed antibiotics in the feed to help maintain their health and improve weight gain and in some regions growth promoters are also used. The use of antibiotics in animal production is falling out of favor due to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as the movement to more natural production techniques. These compounds are generally not used in the grower/finishing period and there is a continuing need to find ways to help improve both the health and nutritional content of the rabbits especially during the grower/finisher period of production.
There is a need for a method for raising rabbits that decreases the mortality rate of the rabbits. There is also a need for a method for decreasing the feed conversion rate of rabbits. There is also a need for a method for increasing the average daily weight gain of rabbits. And there is a need for a method for increasing long-chain fatty acid (e.g., omega-3 fatty acid such as docosahexaenoic acid or DHA) content of rabbit meat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for raising a rabbit comprising feeding the rabbit a feed comprising a source of long-chain fatty acid, wherein the mortality rate of the rabbit is reduced compared to a rabbit raised in the absence of the long-chain fatty acid source.
Preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a marine source, more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a marine source selected from the group consisting of fish oil, fish meal and microorganisms, and more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises microorganisms.
Preferably, the microorganisms are in a dry form, more preferably the microorganisms are of the order Thraustochytriales, and more preferably the microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a long-chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of linolenic acid, gammalinolenic acid, dihomogammalinolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid (both omega-3 and omega-6 forms), docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and mixtures thereof, more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises docosahexaenoic acid.
Preferably, the mortality rate is decreased by at least about 50% and more preferably the mortality rate is decreased by at least about 65%.
Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.1% by weight long-chain fatty acid source. Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.01% by weight long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.003% by weight long-chain omega-6 fatty acid. Preferably, the feed is fed to the rabbit for at least about 5 days.
In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for increasing an average daily weight gain of a rabbit comprising feeding the rabbit a feed comprising a long-chain fatty acid source, wherein the average daily weight gain of the rabbit is higher than a rabbit raised in the absence of the long-chain fatty acid source.
Preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a marine source, more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a marine source selected from the group consisting of fish oil, fish meal and microorganisms, and more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises microorganisms.
Preferably, the microorganisms are in a dry form, more preferably the microorganisms are of the order Thraustochytriales, and more preferably the microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof
Preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a long-chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of linolenic acid, gammalinolenic acid, dihomogammalinolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid (both omega-3 and omega-6 forms), docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and mixtures thereof, more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises docosahexaenoic acid.
Preferably, the average daily weight gain of the rabbit is increased by at least about 2%.
Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.01% by weight long-chain fatty acid source. Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.003% by weight long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.003% by weight long-chain omega-6 fatty acid. Preferably, the feed is fed to the rabbit for at least about 5 days.
In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for reducing a feed conversion rate in a rabbit comprising feeding the rabbit a feed comprising a long-chain fatty acid source, wherein the feed conversion rate of the rabbit is lower than a rabbit raised in the absence of the long-chain fatty acid source.
Preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a marine source, more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a marine source selected from the group consisting of fish oil, fish meal and microorganisms, and more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises microorganisms.
Preferably, the microorganisms are in a dry form, more preferably the microorganisms are of the order Thraustochytriales, and more preferably the microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises a long-chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of linolenic acid, gammalinolenic acid, dihomogammalinolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid (both omega-3 and omega-6 forms), docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, and mixtures thereof, more preferably, the long-chain fatty acid source comprises docosahexaenoic acid.
Preferably, the feed conversion rate of the rabbit is decreased by at least about 0.03 g/day. Preferably, the feed conversion rate of the rabbit is decreased by at least about 1%.
Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.1% by weight long-chain fatty acid source. Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.01% by weight long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. Preferably, the feed comprises at least about 0.003% by weight long-chain omega-6 fatty acid. Preferably, the feed is fed to the rabbit for at least about 5 days.
In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for increasing a docosahexaenoic acid content of a rabbit comprising feeding the rabbit a feed comprising a docosahexaenoic acid source. Preferably, the docosahexaenoic acid source comprises microorganisms.
Preferably, the docosahexaenoic acid source comprises a marine source. The docosahexaenoic acid source can comprise a precursor to docosahexaenoic acid such as linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid (n-3), or mixtures thereof. The precursors can be elongated to docosahexaenoic acid, and the precursors and the subsequent elongation products can accumulate in the rabbit meat. Preferably, the docosahexaenoic acid source comprises at least 10% (as % by weight total fatty acids) DHA.
Preferably, the microorganisms are in a dry form, more preferably the microorganisms are of the order Thraustochytriales, and more preferably the microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the docosahexaenoic acid source comprises a long-chain fatty acid selected from the group consisting of lin
Barclay William R.
Mordenti Archimede
Tassinari Marco
Zotti Alessandro
Jordan Charles T.
Martek Biosciences Boulder Corporation
Shaw Elizabeth
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
LandOfFree
Methods for raising rabbits does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Methods for raising rabbits, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods for raising rabbits will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3026588